Vale of Glamorgan: Launch of the Vale Family Compass in the Vale of Glamorgan

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Introducing the Vale Family Compass

We are delighted to update you regarding our exciting new development in how families in the Vale of Glamorgan can access information, advice, support and protection.

From Monday 3 November, we launched the Vale Family Compass – a new single front door to access services including:

• Family Information Service (which includes The Index)
• Families First Advice Line
• Team Around the Family
• Vale Parenting Service
• Intake Team

The Vale Family Compass is designed to provide the right support at the right time, helping families get the help they need earlier and more effectively. It brings together resources and services in one place, improving coordination and outcomes for children, young people, parents, carers, their families, and professionals.

What’s changing?

We now have a single point of contact for accessing our Family Information, Early Help and Intake services:

Website: valefamilycompass.co.uk
Phone: 0808 281 6727
Email: familycompass@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

You can also follow us on Facebook @ValeFamilyCompass (previously @VOGFIS)

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Surrey: childcare provision and funding - Surrey Additional Needs and Disabilities

Childcare providers have a legal duty to offer extra support to meet the needs of a child with a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This might include installing a ramp to allow wheelchair access to their premises, or training staff to use special equipment. 

They will also be able to apply to Surrey County Council to access additional support and funding to help pay for extra staff, training or resources that have been identified as necessary to allow your child to attend their setting. More information is available on the Surrey website below.

Click HERE for more information. 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council Childcare Choices

 

Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before. Support from Childcare Choices can give your child a great start while giving you work choices, helping you make the juggle of family life a little easier. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Church Crookham: Army Welfare Service Give Us a Hand

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Home Start support for military families

 

Home Start volunteers help families with children age 0-11 years deal with the challenges they face. They support parents (including military families) to learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

Click on the QR code to access further information of other areas of support that Home Start can help with.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Scotland: Early Years Forces Children Project

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Are you a parent of a baby or child aged six or younger? 

Then Forces Children Scotland would love to hear about your experiences of raising children as a Forces Family.

Scan the QR code or follow the link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclXwEgeFThyvqBGa_x0li4wPxq9EjP9KKAxcRyOyI-gLrVOA/viewform  if you are interested in taking part.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Bicester: tower treasures baby and toddler group - every Thursday during termtime

Baby and toddler drop-in group ages 0-4. Play, enjoy refreshments, stories, songs and a chat! The Parish Room, St Michael at the North Gate, termtime Thursdays 1000-1145hrs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Hampshire: Home Start Hampshire in Rushmoor & Hart

At Home-Start Hampshire we run a range of family groups which are by referral only, third party or self-referral. The groups are supported by trained and experienced volunteers who will ensure you and your little one(s) are welcomed, feel safe and have a positive experience.

All of our groups provide a safe non-judgmental environment where families can make the first steps to regular social interaction and peer support.

To refer a family to one of our groups, or make a self-referral please complete and return a referral form, which can be found HERE

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

London: Home Start London

Home Start are there for parents when they need it the most because childhood can’t wait

All parents struggle at one time or another and Home-Start is ready to support London families through their toughest times.

Home-Start trains and supports volunteers to work alongside parents in their own home giving compassionate and confidential support, tailored to each family. Home-Start London is a consortium of 12 local Home-Starts operating across 24 London boroughs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Army Welfare Service Stay and Play Maurice Toy House Every Tuesday 10:00 - 11:30am

 

Information Provided by South East HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Army Welfare Service Stay & Play Garrison Community Hub Monday 1:00- 2:30pm

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

DWP news update: Children to benefit from funded childcare

The Government has delivered its pledge to fund childcare for 30 hours a week – saving parents £7,500 a year per child.

Take-up is expected to be over and above initial projections, with over half a million kids on track to be more school ready by age 5, giving every child the best start in life.

The Best Start in Life website brings together trusted information, guidance, and support into one place where parents will be able to check what childcare help they’re eligible for, find their local family services, sign up for tailored weekly updates, and access advice from everything from pregnancy to preparing a child for school. 

Click this link to Read the full press release

Grantham: Lincolnshire Family Services Directory

Lincolnshire Family Services Directory

Helps you find information on useful local organisations and activities where you live.

The directory also supports Lincolnshire's family hubs and the start for life programme.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Support with childcare costs

www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fundedchildcare

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

GOV.UK: Updated guidance for Service personnel and their families on Early Years childcare and child welfare policies

The Gov.uk website has been updated today, with new information in the ‘Free Early Years Childcare entitlement for children aged 9 months to school starting age (including 15 or 30 hours’ free childcare)’ and ‘Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA)’ section.

To review the revised information please go to: Guidance for Service personnel and their families on child welfare policies.

Winchester - Home-Start Family Groups

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Homes Start Hampshire Volunteers required

 

Click HERE for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Surrey: become a registered childminder

Are you considering becoming a registered childminder and would like to find out more?

A registered childminder is a person who looks after one or more children for more than a total of two hours a day in their own home. They are registered and inspected by Ofsted. 

Surrey County Council are committed to supporting childminders to provide high quality childcare and early years education. Our 'Becoming a Registered Childminder' (BaRC) training is made up of two face-to-face full day sessions, delivered over two consecutive weeks, for those interested in joining the childminding profession. 

The training covers the legislation and implications of caring for other people's children in a home environment to ensure that children are safe, well cared for and take part in activities that contribute to their learning and development. 

The training also details your statutory duties as set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Click HERE for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Surrey: funded childcare in Surrey

From April 2024, funded early education will be expanding. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support. 

The new entitlements will be introduced in phases: 

- From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child's 2nd birthday

- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months

Surrey: working in early years and childcare

A job in early years and childcare is unique and rewarding. You get to be part of a child's early education and help to shape their future, and there are lots of roles to suit everyone.

Work in a nursery

Work in a pre-school or nursery school

Work as a childminder

Work in before and after school clubs

Click HERE for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub